The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
